Superman Saves Family From Foreclosure

It sounds like the stuff of superhero stories: a family on the brink of foreclosure saved their home when they found a rare copy of Superman's debut comic, Action Comics #1, in their basement.

ABC reports that the family, who wished to remain anonymous, were packing up for foreclosure on their home in the South -- where they have lived since the 1950's -- when they came across a stash of "old magazines" and "old comic books", according to Asylum. They contacted Stephen Fishler, co-owner of New York's ComicConnect, to see what they could pawn.

Fishler told Asylum, "They came across what appears to be an Action #1." Dubious at first, given that 99.9% of such calls were bogus, he realized it was the real deal when the couple texted him a photo.

Fishler took the copy to Comic-con last week for a valuation. It received a "Very Good" status with 5/10 points, ABC News reports. It is expected to fetch at least $250,000 through an auction on ComicConnect's website on August 27th.

"My partner basically had to explain to the bank, 'You'll have your money soon,'" ComicConnect co-owner Vincent ZurzoloZurzolo told ABC News. "We sent them information about our previous sales and what this could realize."

Superman's pre-DC Comics Action Comics #1 has been a valuable commodity this year. In March, Fishler and Zurzolo brokered the record-breaking sale of $1.5 million for a copy, preceded by a $1 million sale in February (which, notably, kicked Batman's butt). Bam!